Sexual and physical violence inflicted by men can be stopped if the perpetrator attends a targeted programme, according to a study by Durham and London Metropolitan Universities.

The research found that far fewer women reported being physically injured after their partner attended a domestic violence perpetrator programme (DVPP) – 2% compared to more than 60% before the course - and over half of women reported feeling ‘very safe’ after the programme, compared to less than one in ten before the programme (51% compared to 8%). Cases of men using a weapon against their partner went from 29% to zero.

Durham University’s Professor Nicole Westmarland, who authored the report at the university’s Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse, said the courses helped scatter abusers’ “king in the castle” approach to a relationship and helped educate them on the impact their behaviour had on children.

She said: “Up until now, we have had little research as to whether DVPPs work or not. This research sends out a clear message that although they don’t turn around everyone’s behaviour, in the end most women and children felt safer and their lives were improved.”